intimate partner violence and Kiribati mothers in New Zealand

143 Pages·2016·1.78 MB·English

by  Teatao, Lydia Ietaake

Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for
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Rebuilding lives: Intimate partner violence
and Kiribati mothers in New Zealand

A Cooperative Inquiry

A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of
Master of Philosophy
in Social Work
Massey University Auckland, New Zealand

Lydia Ietaake Teatao
2015
Abstract
This study explores strategies to rebuild lives as a result of intimate partner violence
experienced by Kiribati migrant mothers in New Zealand through cooperative inquiry.
Cooperative inquiry is a modality of participatory action research (PAR) based on people
examining their own experience and action with those who share the same life experiences
(Heron, 1996). It is also concerned with re-visualizing understanding of the world as well as
transforming practice within it. As a result of working through an agreed set of actions, this
process has empowered personal strength and courage for all those who took part, including
myself.

The method of cooperative inquiry is to be both a researcher and a participant and it does
research with people but not on people. It is not about confirming or validating previous
theories or hypotheses. It is about being deeply engaged with the human situation and inquiry
initiated on a common interest shared by the group of participants.

All participants, including the researcher, were Kiribati migrant mothers who have been
violence free for at least two years. We all worked together as co-participants in this research
project. The inquiry was underpinned by the Pacific Framework Talanoa with the Kiribati
cultural context, aided by Te Itera model designed by the author.

Key results are significant as they venture to restore and strengthen intimate partner
relationships for Kiribati families residing in New Zealand. It contributes knowledge to social
agency interventions regarding Kiribati families and their children and provides insights to
future immigrants to New Zealand. Research participants also suggest that through being
involved in a genuine research, they developed strength and courage commitment within their
own extended families, communities and social connections in increasing awareness and
education to alleviate intimate partner violence specifically targeting young families.

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Dedication

I wish to dedicate this thesis to my dearest loving mother Teuea Florence Tamaroa and
darling father Charles Lono Tokataake who passed away long before I did this study.

Mama, you constantly reminded me that violence is not okay for me and for the wellbeing of
my children. It had always been your wish that I should do something about it. Papa, I thank
you for being a non-violent husband to our mother and a kind hearted father to your children.
With your advice and guidance, you have moulded me into a strong and resilient woman.
You are both forever remembered and treasured in my heart.

A dedication also goes to my one and only brother, Teken Tokataake and caring wife Irima
who have been there for me during the ups and downs of my relationship. You have always
provided a supportive and safe haven for me and my children, and a loving violence free
home for your own family. Rosie and Mereue, the sisters that have shared the pain and love
with me in my journey as a mother and wife, may you shed no more tears.

To all the mothers and wives who are devoted to transform their family life for good, this
work is for you.

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Acknowledgement
This study has been a process of cooperation that would not have completed without the
contributions and support of many people. With humbleness, I would like to thank the
following people:

John Heron, it is an honour and privilege to have met you and gained your wisdom and
knowledge around cooperative inquiry. Your word of advice that ‘my community needs my
facilitation skills’ has empowered me to successfully celebrate the joy of working
collaboratively with the Kiribati women in this project.

My deepest gratitude is to Massey University for allowing me to complete my thesis with
your Institution. A very special thank you to my wonderful supervisor, Associate Professor
Ksenija Napan for your strong support in making sure that transferring to Massey University
did happen. Both you and Dr. Shirley Jülich have been staunchly beside me in the writing of
this thesis. The advice I have received has been insightful and the encouragement unflagging.
I could not have wished for better supervision. Dr. Fotu Fisi’iahi, thank you for having an
interest in my topic and for taking the role of co-supervising me in the earlier stages when
formulating this thesis at the Unitec Institute of Technology.

Thank you ‘Iosis Limited’ for allowing me to take study leave to focus on my writing.
Appreciation also goes to my work colleagues, Team leader and my Social-work team for
your continuous encouragement, support and kindness when I needed time to complete this
thesis.

A special thanks to Linda Grigg for your keenest support in promoting my research in the
local papers with the aim to fundraise for the project. Although there were no funds collected,
I received flattering remarks from the community especially from the women.

To Karen Smith, thank you for your skill of proof-reading and editing. You are my great
friend, great colleague and great inspirer. Thank you Marian Kane and Anne McClelland for
all the kind support you offered.
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My acknowledgement also goes to the advisory committee that has been backing me along
the way with knowledge and cultural competence in ensuring this research is carried out in
accordance with the Kiribati ethos. I am grateful for your dedication. Thank you.

Thank you Sangeeta, Terara, Baretoka, Mark, nieces and nephews for inspiring me along the
way. Kastin, Andrena and Enali your innocent presence around me inspire me more to focus
on this piece of work. To the families in Kiribati, thank you for your continuous support and
love. I am forever grateful. To the many friends and families who cheered me on, thank you
so much.

An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to my beloved amazing children James, Mateata and
Remiataake who have been part of my journey as a family. Thank you for being patient in
tough times. Thank you too for supporting and encouraging me to do this study. You are the
precious gifts of my life and I love you dearly.

In particular, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to my dear companion, friend and
spouse Ietaake Teatao who never faltered in his support for my academic pursuits. Your faith
in my ability to complete this work never wavered. Thank you for who you are. Your
weaknesses are my strengths. Your strengths are my pride!

Last but not least, to the magnificent, strong and beautiful Kiribati women who participated
in this study, it is an honour to have shared our life stories together in rebuilding and restoring
our family lives after living with the act of violence with our children. This thesis could not
have been possible without your contribution. I would also like to acknowledge your
husbands and children for their support in our adventure in the course of cooperative inquiry.
May the blessings of Kiribati - Health, Peace, and Prosperity be with you all (Te Mauri, Te
Raoi ao Te Tabomoa iaomi ni bane). Thank you very much (Kam bati n rabwa).

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Prologue
I was in my second year of a social work degree at Whitireia Polytechnic in Wellington when
I felt able to seek help for my own violent relationship. I migrated from Kiribati in 2006 with
my three children who at the time were aged 16, 13 and 10 through the Pacific Access
Category (PAC) scheme to join my husband. My husband had moved to New Zealand in
2004 to undertake his second class marine engineer studies and stayed on as a result of the
PAC.

I was unaware of the domestic violence support available in New Zealand. Even when I did
learn about it, like many women, I remained fearful of what would happen to my family if I
reported my husband. No-one had told us when we came to New Zealand that we could seek
help through social services or the police. We just kept the ways we practised before. When I
finally reported the violent incidents that had occurred in New Zealand, I realised the
authorities accepted me and were supportive. My husband attended counselling which I
believe has changed and renewed our life.

The concept of this inquiry came about when I learnt that some members of my Kiribati
community ostracised me for the fact that I took legal action against my husband for
physically abusing me. I believe that I am the first Kiribati woman in New Zealand to report
domestic violence, a move that took considerable courage for me and my children.

The uniqueness and characteristics of intimate partner violence in Kiribati are not a result of
colonisation or poverty but its patriarchal system. It is regarded as a cultural practice. The
patriarchal system still exists in the Kiribati society where women are considered inferior to
men with minimal recognition of female abilities, for example, no woman goes against men’s
decisions. This prospect immensely challenges my role as an active member of the Auckland
Kiribati Society in New Zealand.

As a community social work practitioner working at a Non-Government Christian Social
Service Organisation in South Auckland called Iosis, I embedded a desire to do this project.
This personal interest has strongly supported the progress of this study and significantly has
been both a journey of exploration with Kiribati mothers and academic inquiry.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Prologue vi
Table of contents vii
List of (Figures and Tables) xi
List of Definitions xii
List of Abbreviations xiii
Kiribati on the map xiv
Quote for thesis xv
Chapter 1 – Introduction 1
Benefit and value of this research 2
Methodological issues 2
Issues encountered prior to the inquiry process 3
Report structure 4
Chapter 2 – Background 5
Introduction 5
Where on earth is Kiribati? 6
Cultural importance and how it is constructed in the Kiribati society 7
The Four phases of human development in Kiribati 8
Tetei or Ataei (New born to young children) 8
Te Kairake or Ientaboniba (Adolescent and young adult) 9
Te Rorobuaka or Bouanikaua (Middle aged mature man) 10
Te Unimwane or Batua (Village Male elder/Old man) 10
Kiribati – the sinking nation 12
Kiribati migration 13
Kiribati and New Zealand 13
I-Kiribati in New Zealand 14
Chapter 3 - Literature Review 15
Introduction 15
Intimate partner violence (IPV) 16
IPV – Kiribati context 17
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IPV – New Zealand context 19
Coping strategies and responses to IPV 20
Chapter 4 - Research methodological approaches 22
Introduction 22
Cooperative inquiry 23
Cooperative inquiry theoretical stages 25
Stage one 26
Stage two 29
Stage three 29
Stage four 30
Talanoa a Pacific Framework 31
Te Itera an emergent research model 34
Chapter 5 - Methods and the Sample 41
Characteristic of participants 41
Method of recruitment 42
Design of research 44
Advisory committee 46
Ethical consideration 47
Informed and voluntary consent 48
Respects for rights and confidentiality and preservation of anonymity 49
Minimisation of harm 50
Cultural and social sensitivity 50
Limitation of deception 51
Respect for intellectual and cultural property ownership 52
Avoidance of conflict of interest 52
Research design adequacy 52
Data collection 53
Participants’ demographic data 53
Recording 54
Note taking 54
Chapter 6 - Cooperative inquiry processes 56
Introduction 56
Building rapport and safety 57
Making sense of IPV through our experiential knowing 58
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Cooperative inquiry proceeded deeper 62
Our IPV experiences in Kiribati and in New Zealand 63
The Change – Courage versus culture and our coping abilities 67
Personal transformation that encourages change in a family 71
Invaluable commitment to ease IPV 72
The flyer - a strategy to help families 73
Ending the inquiry – A way forward 77
Three months follow up meeting 78
Reflections from the whole process of the inquiry 79
Chapter 7 - Inquiry Outcomes, Critical or Reflective Analysis 81
Introduction 81
Transformative outcomes 81
Propositional outcomes 82
Presentational outcomes 84
Practical outcomes 85
Other outcomes – Participants feedback from the questionnaire 86
Critical or Reflective Analysis 87
Chapter 8 - Validity: Reflections on the quality of the inquiry 91
Introduction 91
Research cycling 91
Divergence and Convergence 92
Challenging Uncritical Subjectivity 92
Addressing Chaos and Order 93
Managing Unaware Projections 93
Sustaining Authentic Collaboration 94
Challenges when using cooperative inquiry 96
Chapter 9 - Conclusion 97
Recommendations 99
References 101
Appendices
1 Massey University enrolment confirmation 112
2 Massey University’s acceptance of Unitec Ethical approval 114
3 Authorisation to begin Research 115
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